The Dog Commands

How do you get your commands across to your apprentice?

Firstly there are your voice and language. It is said that there are people bringing home there Puppy, putting them to their designated spot and wonder why the command “down” is simply ignored. Isn’t that inborn?

Canines barely communicate acoustically. For them body language is equal to the human writing and language. To achieve his degree of master your best friend will only have to learn about 10 commands. Most additional are just a needless wastefulness. You may use terms that comfort you, but using the common commands makes sense for many reasons.

Before your dog does, YOU should have a good grasp of the commands you are going to use. First of all the dogs name (disyllabic, preferably with two different vowels, like Bella, Lassie, Ringo). Then “No”, “Come/Here”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down”, “Stand”, “Heel”, “Out/Let Go” “Fetch” and “Track”.
Those words are called commands, and maybe this is the reason why most dog owners use them and act like drill sergeants.

Your best friend has an excellent hearing. As you use your dog to a soft-spoken voice, it will increase its attention, and a strong voice will serve as reserve in an emergency situation.
Of major importance is the way you give the commands. A military short “Sit” will set your dogs teeth on edge. Do we say it softly and expanding the vowel, this will almost calm down your dog.

The same applies to “Down” and “Heel” and we do call the name first, to attract the dog’s attention. Yelling at your dog will only intimidate it and encourage it to get away from you. The “No” should be use with a calm but yet determined and slightly menacing undertone. Your “Come/Here” should sound as alluring as possible, “Fetch” and “Track” simply encouraging. The “Out/Let Go” command should be elongated, and take your time before taking out whatever of your dog’s mouth.

Conversation between you and your dog should of course not be limited to the commands. When praising your dog, there is no way you could overact, and there is no limitation to your fantasy. Let it sound like your friend found a treasure of gold.